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November 30th, 2006 ABA Objects to Comments on "Dr. Phil" TV Program
Dr. Phil Show Dear Dr. Phil, I am contacting you regarding a program you aired on Friday, November 24th about fraudulent internet activity involving scams. I am not aware of the details of the program as I came upon it in the middle of the show. From what I could gather, the program focused on fraudulent Nigerians preying upon vulnerable women. Your program raised 2 concerns for me both as an individual and as president of the African Business Alliance, Inc.: a. Comments made by your London correspondent, Aaron Heselhurst, and b. Why it is your program avoided the point that these fraudulent acts occur all the time and are perpetrated by persons of all backgrounds and nationalities – not just Nigerians as your show implied. Firstly, Mr. Heselhurst elaborated very negatively about the country of Nigeria and he made very strong and inaccurate statements about that country. Ironically, I had just returned from a three week visit to Nigeria exactly one week prior to your show airing. I saw first hand the beauty of that country and countless people doing good work and making an honest living in co-existence with everything else -- as you would have in any other country of the world. He referred to Nigeria as a “very dangerous place” basically implying one should not have anything to do with the country or its people. Such remarks are very reckless and dangerous and paints an entire country with a broad brush. He made several other disparaging comments, however I could not locate a transcript of the particular show from your site to refer to. I got the impression your program was probing the question – “How is it people fall for internet frauds/scams?” -- a very valid question. However, I don’t believe your correspondent’s remarks added real value to that point.
Secondly, a fraud is a fraud regardless of where one commits the fraud
or their country of origin. These kinds of fraud occur everyday, and in many
places. They are perpetrated by persons from many different countries and
cultures, yes, including Nigerians, Togolese, Lebanese, Brits, Germans,
Turks, Italians, French, Americans, Brazilians, you name it. |
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